MCUS Chapter 39

The pharmacopoeia was not a physical book but a dynamic electronic book. Each herb was accompanied by detailed descriptions and dynamic illustrations depicting the growth stages of the herbs, making it a rare and important booklet. If Yan Ge wished to read it, with a simple thought, it would automatically flip its pages, appearing before his eyes as a projection on the screen, invisible to others.

Yan Jin meticulously explained to him, “The rewards from side missions are usually of an auxiliary nature. The Pharmacopoeia contains both medical knowledge and alchemical knowledge, which is useful for making pills for ordinary people and various elixirs required for cultivation. However, the triggering and rewards of side missions are random, and even I am unaware of what rewards each side mission will offer. Furthermore, as you accumulate enough silver taels, the system will upgrade, and your backpack will become larger…”

Yan Ge interrupted the system and turned to the first page of the pharmacopoeia. “We can discuss all that later. Right now, I just want to reach the rank of Shiren(scholar) as soon as possible.”

–“With your abilities, it shouldn’t take much time. Keep up the good work, and I will inform you promptly if there are any changes in the system.”

Yan Ge hesitated for a moment and asked, “Do you know the reason why I traveled through time? And why the system chose me?”

Yan Jin truthfully answered, “Time travel is random. As for why you traveled here—let me explain it this way—the Great Han Kingdom is a real place, and you traveled through time based on historical records. The TV drama ‘The Empress from the Future’ is a fictional creation.”

“I see.” Yan Ge laughed, finding Yan Jin’s explanation easy to understand.

–“The system chose you because your identity as a handsome young man happened to meet the conditions of the ‘Male Consort Upgrade System.’”

Yan Ge nodded. “Please refrain from using honorifics with me in the future. Speak more casually.” At this moment, he truly let his guard down with Yan Jin.

“Understood, Master.” Yan Jin chuckled.

After Yan Jin’s complete honesty, the two could feel a closer relationship between them.

Yan Ge instructed Gao Feng to pick up Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi and return to the palace, while he stayed at Luoxue Pavilion to study the Pharmacopoeia. The content of the pharmacopoeia was detailed and vivid, making it easy to learn. In less than an hour, he had comprehended the content of the first forty pages.

After practicing swordsmanship for a while, he estimated that it was almost time for the evening meal. He instructed Qiuju to prepare water for his bath and took the opportunity to instruct Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, “There’s no need to inform Qiuju about us leaving the palace for now. Wan Xiang, you will stay with her, and make sure to discipline her properly so she doesn’t cause any trouble when we’re not around.”

Wan Xiang nodded vigorously and smiled confidently. “Yes, Young Master, you can trust me.”

Xiao Chuanzi added, “Young Master, it may be hard to hide the fact that we’re leaving the palace for long.”

Yan Ge said, “It’s alright. If she happens to discover it and refuses to be honest, we’ll just send her somewhere else.” His way of dealing with people was simple—those who were truly loyal to him would be given opportunities to climb higher, and those who betrayed him could be discarded.

After changing into his court attire, it didn’t take long for the eunuch to announce that the royal meal was about to begin to begin.

Yan Ge, accompanied by Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi, headed to the Imperial Garden.

The Imperial Garden was adorned with bright lanterns, illuminating the surroundings. As he turned past a cluster of green bamboo, Yan Ge didn’t see Huangfu Yuchen but instead noticed several other consorts. One of them was Lady Tian, and the other four were the four ranking consorts: Lady Rou, Lady Zhao, Lady Li, and Lady Zheng. Lady Rou was exceptionally beautiful, with a gentle smile and a myriad of charms, which was why the Emperor bestowed her the title “Rou” (gentle). She was the only consort among the four who was given a courtesy name, while the other three were only addressed by their surnames. Lady Rou was also the only consort in the harem who had given birth to a son for the Emperor, apart from the Empress. Lady Zhao was cold and enchanting, Lady Li was pure and innocent, and Lady Zheng exuded an air of nobility. The four of them were all dressed up, competing in their splendor.

Yan Ge didn’t expect Huangfu Yuchen to invite so many people. He sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and greeted them without kneeling.

These individuals were well-informed and knew that Yan Ge was exempt from kneeling before the Emperor. They wouldn’t dare to demand that he kneel and smiled, allowing him to skip the formalities. Only Lady Tian stared fixedly at the decorative fan-shaped hairpin on Yan Ge’s head and took the opportunity to give him a fierce glare when no one was looking.

Yan Ge just ignored her.

Just as he took his seat, the eunuch outside chanted, “The Emperor has arrived, the Empress has arrived!”

Everyone stood up and paid their respects. Huangfu Yuchen said, “Today is just a small gathering, my beloved consorts need not be overly formal.”

Who are you calling your beloved consorts? Yan Ge felt a sense of awkwardness hearing those words, and be silently retorted in his heart.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” they replied.

Yan Ge did not kneel, so he was very conspicuous among the consorts. Huangfu Yuchen keenly noticed his unease and curled his lips. In truth, he also found it awkward to address Yan Ge as a “beloved consort,” but if he was not the only one feeling that way, he decided not to dwell on it. He even gave Yan Ge a charming smile.

“Yan Changzai, come to my side,” Huangfu Yuchen commanded.

Yan Ge had already noticed the additional seat beside the Emperor’s throne on the raised platform, and guessed it was prepared for some favored consort.

The gazes of the Empress, Lady Rou, and the others simultaneously fell upon him. Yan Ge was about to politely decline but then realized that since he wanted to be promoted as quickly as possible, he would eventually become the target of their envy, so he might as well graciously accept. He elegantly expressed his gratitude and walked up the steps, gracefully adjusting his robes as he took his seat.

Huangfu Yuchen sensed a fighting spirit emanating from him and found it amusing.

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

Huangfu Yuchen, for reasons unknown, took a sip of tea in a casual manner, maintaining his silence.

Yan Ge was not the host of today’s banquet so he remained composed. He casually observed the Empress, pondering idly: If he were to truly vie for the position of Empress, did he have even the slightest chance of winning?

After a while, Huangfu Yuchen said to Deng Mande, “Let the feast begin.”

As the palace servants brought the dishes and wine, Huangfu Yuchen asked Yan Ge, “Would Yan Changzai prefer fruit wine or aged wine?” Fruit wine was lighter and favored by women.

Yan Ge smiled and replied, “Your Majesty, it would be rather dull for you to drink alone. I shall accompany you in enjoying the aged wine.”

Huangfu Yuchen nodded.

A glimmer flashed in the Empress’s eyes, and the curve of her lips became shallow. She was the Empress, and even if she felt displeased, she could not show it and allow the other consorts to find amusement in her predicament.

Silently, a maid approached and poured a glass of fragrant white wine for Yan Ge.